Pop Music Notes

– It looks like Lady GaGa’s label has finally decided to properly work her to Top 40 Radio, as the single is now officially being worked this week. Bad move on their part…they had great momentum after her “So You Think You Can Dance” appearance, so why the delay? Probably because the album is dropping next month. Well, at least they can console themselves with a #8 debut in Canada last month, and a #12 debut in Australia this month. That makes it all okay, right?

[BTW…the infamous track 8 that’s changing from territory to territory will be “Starstruck” in the U.S., featuring Flo Rida. Say it isn’t so, LG! And what about the NKOTB duet? You’d think she would be able to include that as well.]

– New releases this week feature Ne-Yo (yes…the profile is coming in the next 24 hours), Darius Rucker (of Hootie fame) and sixth-place Idol contestant Kristy Lee Cook with their country music debuts, a cool EP of remixed Cure singles leading up to their new full-length, and Marc Broussard, who is opening for Sara Bareilles at the Denver show I’m seeing next month. There’s even a duet with Sara called “Why Should She Wait”. However, the most notable release, at least from a cover stand point, is Nelly. I think he’s going for the gay porn look with the cover of his new CD, “Brass Knuckles”. Damn, Nelly…you signed as an exclusive to a porn studio yet?

– I’d like to think that Reuters and Billboard checked out my piece on modern R&B a few weeks ago, but I have a feeling they may have done some of their own work. Either way, it’s good to see an acknowledgment of how R&B is becoming a mainstream influence for the first time in a long time. I will say, however, that some people would argue that what we’re calling R&B is really just a more soulful pop sound, and I don’t know that I would argue with that. But as long as the artists still identify with R&B, and R&B stations are playing them, then who am I to argue?

Also check out a quick article about UK artists crossing over. It’s great that folks like Natasha and Leona can make the jump, but remember that there are dozens of non-starters for every one that makes it. (Liberty X, I’m looking at all five of you!)